Affordable housing hopes for former battery factory
A contaminated former industrial site in Wolverhampton could become 31 new homes, under new plans lodged by Solihull-based developer Wonderful Homes.
The former G&P Batteries plant in Heath Town closed down in 1998 and was demolished around ten years later, but the 1.5-acre plot has sat empty for two decades since.
New plans put forward by Wonderful Homes would see an affordable housing scheme built for social-housing provider Black Country Housing Group – but only after “substantial” remediation works have been completed on the site, which was formerly used to process expired lead-acid batteries.
The proposals are the latest plan to clean up the overgrown site, which sits beside the Wyrley & Essington Canal and had been in continuous industrial use since 1886, prior to the closure of the battery works.
The ‘overgrown’ former battery factory in Wolverhampton could become 31 homes under plans submitted to Wolverhampton City Council. Credit: Wonderful via planning portal
Outline planning consent for a development of 56 apartments was granted to Berkshire developer Wexham Homes for the site in 2021 – but work on the scheme never got started.
Now, a statement submitted by the developer says construction has to begin on the new development before March 2026, in order to secure funding from Homes England. The scheme has also received remediation funding from West Midlands Combined Authority.
“The site has a long industrial history, including use as a battery factory with associated contamination risks, and has been vacant for over 25 years,” said a supporting statement from Wonderful Homes.
“The proposal brings forward a viable and deliverable brownfield redevelopment that will remediate long-standing contamination, create quality, energy-efficient homes, and deliver canal-side environmental improvements that integrate with ongoing regeneration activity in Wolverhampton.
“The site is affected by significant contamination risks from its industrial past… These risks mean development requires substantial remediation, abnormal foundations, and retaining structures.”
If approved, the development would also see improvements to the canal towpath – including tree and shrub planting at the end of Grove Street designed to enhance wildlife habitats near the canal – and 62 car parking spaces for residents.
The application will be decided by City of Wolverhampton Council at the end of the statutory consultation period.
Documents and plans relating to the application can be viewed via the council’s planning portal, using reference: 25/01125/FUL
